Development of high-value cereal foods using waste products from Sardinian food industries

the present research project aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of extracts derived from by-products of Sardinia’s agro-industrial sectors using an experimental model of neuronal damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxin specific to dopaminergic neurons, in the PC12 cell line. Specifically, the study focused on extracts obtained from the by-products of myrtle berry processing and olive leaves. These extracts were found to be rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules, as demonstrated by chemical characterization data obtained via HPLC-DAD analysis and confirmed by DPPH assays. Initial assessment of the neuroprotective action of these extracts was conducted through cell viability tests (MTT assay) and oxidative stress measurement, correlating DCFDA fluorescence with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in PC12 cells exposed to 6-OHDA. Subsequent analyses of the neuroprotective effects involved the use of “omics” techniques, integrating genomic and metabolomic approaches. Gene expression analysis, performed via RT-PCR, evaluated key genes involved in oxidative stress and neuronal function, including AChE (acetylcholinesterase), PON2 (paraoxonase 2), grin1 (glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 1), Gabrd (gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor, delta), and c-fos. Metabolomic analyses of the cell culture medium and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions of cellular extracts were conducted using NMR spectroscopy. These analyses identified metabolites involved in glycolysis, the TCA cycle, amino acid metabolism, and processes associated with energy production, oxidative stress, and membrane function. The results demonstrated that the tested extracts significantly protected against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced ROS levels, and modulated the expression of key stress-related genes. Additionally, the extracts exhibited protective effects by restoring metabolic pathways disrupted by 6-OHDA-induced toxicity, highlighting their potential as neuroprotective agents. These findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of these extracts in modulating neurodegenerative processes, paving the way for future interventions. The project’s vision is further strengthened by the collaboration with the Cellino Group, a leader in Sardinia’s cereal industry. As a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, their products could serve as a “natural” delivery system for bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant properties, offering a proactive approach to preventing neurodegenerative diseases and brain aging. This partnership aims to develop high-value food products enriched with the extracts studied in this research, enhancing the company’s performance and competitiveness while meeting consumers’ health needs.